Eagles Think Makai Lemon Can Play Outside

What They're Saying

HC Nick Sirianni on Lemon's alignment: "Obviously, this guy can do both. He has a lot of versatility, he has the skill set to do both. We’ll see where we start him off when he gets here."

GM Howie Roseman: "There’s a lot to like about him. Competitor. Has the ability to separate in man coverage, out of the slot, he can play outside. Physical player. Really good with the ball in his hands. Really good hands. Good in zone coverage, has really good instincts."

2026 Fantasy Football Impact

Although he ran the majority of his college routes from the slot, Lemon was actually more efficient on the outside. He averaged 3.53 yards per route there, vs. 2.86 from the slot.

Lemon is a bit undersized at 5'11 and 192 pounds. But he's a physical player and a crafty route runner. Lemon can struggle against press coverage, though, which will be a question he'll need to answer if he's going to play outside.

The Eagles added WRs Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason -- both candidates to play outside snaps. But draft capital and talent make Lemon the early favorite to finish second in this WR corps in routes and targets.

Overall pass volume in Philadelphia is a concern. But it didn't stop both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith from finishing as top-30 WRs in PPR points per game in each of the last four seasons.

Lemon has upside at least into WR3 range this season ... if he stays on the field in 2-WR sets.